A coalition of 22 Christian groups in Nigeria led by National
Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has condemned the federal
government over the declaration of September 12 as public
holiday in commemoration of Eid-el-Kabir celebration by Sultan
of Sokoto and President-General of Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs, stating that it smacks of usurpation of government
functions.
The condemnation came barely two months after a similar
incident in which they criticised the action of the Sultan, accusing
President Muhammadu Buhari of taking instructions from the
him.
According to ThisDay, it was reported in July 2016, how Christian
groups lampooned government over the extension of public
holiday by Presidency over the non-sighting of moon by the
Sultan.
In a statement issued by the chairman of NCEF, Solomon
Asemota (SAN), on behalf of the coalition, he stated that it was
“very improper for the head of the Islamic faith in Nigeria to
announce, declare or extend public holidays.
“We call on the federal government to rise to its task and cease
abdicating its responsibilities to the head of a religion. We do not
want what happened during the time of Abacha, when Sultan
Dasuki was dethroned by Abacha to repeat itself. It should not be
forgotten that apart from Christianity and Islam, there exist in
Nigeria various traditional religions that are the foundation of
our culture as Africans.
“The federal government should continue to play its neutral, non-
aligned role in the best interest of the nation. Meanwhile, we
await the declaration of the Eid el-Kabir public holiday by the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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